630 
Proceedings, of the Boycd Society 
1877, no fewer than 206 were caused by the explosion at the local 
colliery on the 2 2nd October of that year. Again, in the summer 
quarter of 1871, 17 of the 25 deaths recorded in the small Eoss- 
shire parish of Avoch were caused by drowning, 3 men having 
been lost on the 16th of May when dredging for oysters; while 4 
men and 10 women, all belonging to the fishing population, were 
drowned by the upsetting of an overcrowded coble. Of the 147 
deaths registered in the parish of Eyemouth, Berwickshire, in the 
last quarter of 1881, no fewer than 129 were those of the unfor- 
tunate fishermen who perished in the fearful storm on the 14th of 
October of that year. They were all in the prime of life, 73 of 
them being married. 
Several other disturbing influences might have been indicated in 
the case of each of the three events under consideration ; but pro- 
bably enough has been stated to show that considerable modifica- 
tions ought, in many instances, to be made when we deal with 
figures illustrative of Scottish Vital Statistics. 
APPENDIX. 
Marriage Seasons in England. 
“ In London the close of the season among the higher classes is a 
matrimonial epoch ; among the working classes the festivals of 
Whitsuntide and Christmas and the season of Lent exert some 
influence, so do the terms of service, which vary in different 
counties. The geniality of spring is perceptible ; but Lincolnshire 
is the only county in which the spring weddings exceed the autumn 
weddings in number. The accumulations of autumn supply a store 
of food, and the harvest wages of the young swains in agricultural 
districts are often wisely invested in the furniture of a cottage : 
it has already been shown that workpeople are influenced in 
marriage by economic conditions and prospects. 
“ It might be supposed that marriages take place indifferently on 
any day of the week. But it is not so. Few marriages are cele- 
brated on a Friday. Now Friday was in former times the day 
which would be especially devoted to these celebrations, as is 
implied by the names Dies Veneris of the Latins, and Friday, the 
day of the Saxon goddess Friga. 
